Charles P. Cecil

Charles Purcell Cecil
Born 4 September 1893
Louisville, Kentucky
Died 31 July 1944
Pacific Ocean
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service 1916–1944
Rank Rear Admiral
Commands held Destroyer Division Eleven, Destroyer Squadron Five, USS Cummings (DD-365), USS Helena (CL-50)
Battles/wars World War I, World War II

Charles Purcell Cecil (1893–1944) was a US Navy Admiral who was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions at the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands on 26 October 1942. In November 1942, Rear Admiral Cecil assumed command of the USS Helena (CL-50). On 6 July 1943 he was awarded a Bronze Star Medal and a Gold Star in lieu of a second Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism in action against Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands.

Cecil was killed in a plane crash (31 July 1944) while traveling between assignments in the Pacific.

Admiral Cecil is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Section 8, Site 3428.

Awards and honors

A graphical representation of Admiral Cecil's personal decorations:

The USS Charles P. Cecil (DD-835) was named in his honor and commissioned on 29 June 1945.

References